MMA News
UFC 244 medical suspensions: Nate Diaz, Gregor Gillespie facing lengthy absences
Tom Taylor - November 5, 2019
UFC 244 was an exciting card by all accounts, highlighted by a number thrilling finishes and several back-and-forth brawls. An unfortunate side effect of cards of this kind, of course, is that they tend to take a physical toll on the fighters involved, resulting in lengthy medical suspensions. A number of fighters on the UFC 244 bill have been handed 90-day medical suspensions by the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC).
Stephen Thompson: Jorge Masvidal is 'different fighter from when I fought him'
Tom Taylor - November 5, 2019
Jorge Masvidal has spoken a great deal about his new focus on being more aggressive and finishing his fights. His former opponent Stephen Thompson has witnessed that transformation. Thompson defeated Masvidal by decision in late 2017, and after watching Masvidal bludgeon Nate Diaz to stoppage win in the UFC 244 main event, is convinced the Cuban has completely changed since their fight.
UFC rankings update: Darren Till debuts in middleweight top-15
Tom Taylor - November 5, 2019
The official UFC rankings have been updated in the wake of Saturday’s UFC 244 card. While main event winner Jorge Masvidal didn’t move up in his division for defeating Nate Diaz, co-main event winner Darren Till has made a massive entrance to the middleweight division for defeating Kelvin Gastelum. Here are the newest UFC rankings, featuring Till, Gastelum, Masvidal, Diaz, another UFC 244 stars.
Israel Adesanya's plan is to clean out middleweight then fight Jon Jones in 2021
Adam Martin - November 5, 2019
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya says his plan is to clean out the middleweight division then fight UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in 2021. Speaking to Damon Martin of MMAFighting.com, Adesanya laid out his plans for the next two years of his fighting career. Though Adesanya and Jones have been talking smack to each other all over social media ever since Adesanya defeated Robert Whittaker to win the middleweight strap at UFC 243, Adesanya does not want to deviate from his plan.
Darren Till wants Israel Adesanya: 'We're meant to fight'
Adam Martin - November 5, 2019
UFC middleweight contender Darren Till says a fight against UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is “meant to happen.” Fresh off of a split decision victory over Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 244, Till is now ranked in the top-five of the UFC middleweight division. Adesanya seems likely to fight Yoel Romero next, leaving Till with a matchup against a top contender like Jared Cannonier or Robert Whittaker. With one more big win, Till could get a title shot against Adesanya.
Video | Jorge Masvidal and Darren Till cross paths backstage following UFC 244
Adam Martin - November 5, 2019
Former rivals Jorge Masvidal and Darren till ran into each other backstage following UFC 244 and exchanged some pleasantries with one another. The two met earlier this year at UFC London, with Masvidal knocking Till out in devastating fashion. That KO win led Masvidal to get a huge fight against Ben Askren at UFC 239, which he won by flying knee knockout in five seconds. The win turned him into a superstar. Till, meanwhile, decided to move up to middleweight after the loss to Masvidal and a series of rough weight cuts.
Elias Theodorou gets first fight outside of the UFC
Tom Taylor - November 5, 2019
Back in May, ranked UFC middleweight contender Elias Theodorou was handed his walking papers and released from the UFC. Since then, we’ve all been wondering where he’ll land. Bellator and ONE Championship seemed like options. So too did the PFL, though he would have to compete at light heavyweight since the league does not currently have a middleweight division.
Dana White denies Israel Adesanya vs. Yoel Romero rumors
Tom Taylor - November 5, 2019
With top middleweight contender Paulo Costa injured, the expectation has been that Yoel Romero will get the call to fight reigning UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya next. UFC President Dana White says not so fast.
MMA veteran Phil Baroni shares similar scars to Nate Diaz but his payday pales in comparison
Natasha Hooper - November 5, 2019
MMA veteran Phil Baroni feels that his battle scars from fighting match up to those of Nate Diaz, but the New York native has never received the same payouts compared to the recent “BMF” contender. On Saturday, in the main event of UFC 244, Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz put their reputations on the line in a BMF title fight. “Gamebred” delivered accurate and powerful strikes to maintain dominance. Meanwhile, Nate Diaz ate some killer kicks and punches, but continued to rally and push forward with his own offence.
Bellator 233 | Muhammed Lawal targets one last win to end career
Cole Shelton - November 5, 2019
Muhammed Lawal is ready to hang up the gloves for good. He just has one thing to take care of first. The 38-year-old already retired once following his loss to Jiri Prochazka at RIZIN 15 earlier this year. Yet retiring on a loss was not easy to stomach, and he decided to fight once more, this time at Bellator 233.
Jake Shields believes Nate Diaz's cut should not have ended fight, prefers McGregor trilogy over Masvidal rematch
Cole Shelton - November 5, 2019
Jake Shields is not happy with how the UFC 244 main event ended. Shields, a longtime teammate of Nate Diaz, was in New York City to support his training partner in his UFC 244 fight with Jorge Masvidal. Masvidal ended up winning this fight due to a cut on Diaz’s brow.
Israel Adesanya shares bold prediction for potential Robert Whittaker vs Kelvin Gastelum fight
Natasha Hooper - November 5, 2019
During an appearance on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show, Israel Adesanya made a bold prediction for a potential fight between Robert Whittaker and Kelvin Gastelum. Adesanya, of course, is well acquainted with both men.
Conor McGregor and his team 'vehemently deny' sexual assault allegations
Cole Shelton - November 4, 2019
Conor McGregor and his manager Audie Attar are firmly denying the sexual assault allegations made against the Irish star. The New York Times has come out twice this year indicating that the former two division UFC champion has been accused of sexual assault. In both reports, McGregor’s spokesperson denied the claims.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik gets his wish, fights Alistair Overeem at UFC Washington, D.C.
Adam Martin - November 4, 2019
UFC heavyweight prospect Jairzinho Rozenstruik told the UFC matchmakers to call him if they needed someone to fight Alistair Overeem. The Suriname native Rozenstruik got his wish, as the UFC has given him the fight he wants against the veteran Overeem. Rozenstruik meets Overeem in the main event of UFC Washington, D.C. which takes place December 7 at Capital One Arena. Rozenstruik is filling in on short notice for Walt Harris, who pulled out of the fight due to the shocking disappearance of his daughter.
UFC 244 doctor responds to controversial main event stoppage, receiving threats
Mike Heck - November 4, 2019
In the aftermath of the UFC 244 main event, it would seem that you would want to be anyone else besides the doctor who called a stop to Saturday’s BMF Title fight. Dr. Nitin K. Sethi, a New York-based neurologist, was the cage side physician called into the Octagon after the third round of the bout between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz at Madison Square Garden on Saturday evening. Diaz had suffered a pair of cuts around his right eye, including a highly visible one above the eye. Sethi and Diaz conversed with the fighter saying, as expected, that he was OK. Sethi would then head over to referee Dan Miragliotta and made the decision to stop the fight, which lead to a third-round TKO win for Masvidal.
Jorge Masvidal believes he'd be a 'legitimate' threat to Canelo Alvarez in a boxing match
Cole Shelton - November 4, 2019
After Jorge Masvidal beat Nate Diaz at UFC 244, he had an interesting callout at the post-fight press conference in the form of boxing champion Canelo Alvarez. He said it is a fight he wants. On, Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show, Masvidal backed those claims even more.
Kevin Lee changes his mind, now aiming for Conor McGregor or winner of Khabib vs. Ferguson
Adam Martin - November 4, 2019
It looks like Kevin Lee may not fight Islam Makhachev after all. A day after saying he would fight the Russian prospect, Lee has some new names on his mind. Fresh off his vicious head kick win over Gregor Gillespie at UFC 244, Lee told reporters following the event that he wanted Makhachev next. But in a new interview with TMZ on Monday, Lee proposed some other fights instead. Now Lee is saying he’s looking for big-name fights and listed Conor McGregor as well as the winner of Khabib Nurmagomdov vs. Tony Ferguson as his preferred opponents.
Corey Anderson says Johnny Walker didn't taunt him backstage despite Dan Hardy's claims
Adam Martin - November 4, 2019
UFC light heavyweight Corey Anderson addressed rumors that Johnny Walker taunted him backstage before their fight at UFC 244. According to Anderson, Walker didn’t say anything to him despite UFC commentator Dan Hardy claiming the Brazilian was talking smack before the fight, allegedly telling Anderson he would “knock him out.” Walker was upset with Hardy for saying he was trash-talking Anderson in the tunnels backstage before they fought and made a post on Instagram criticizing Hardy for saying so. Hardy took to social media to respond to Walker, saying that he believed the story was true about Walker talking smack because Walker taunted Anderson during the fight.